Lol well said BC

At the end of the day it boils down to personal preferrence - at the moment I prefer to shoot in jpeg. However if I was a pro tog, I'd prob shoot in jpeg+raw, just in case I need the extra flexibility of the raw file.

Sometimes I'm all nice and fluffy... Mind you, 4.30, I've got an awful cold and I'm about to hit the Jack Daniels and Stella...don't count on it later! (especially when the other half puts on that X factor...enough to drive any sane person with a little self respect to murderous thoughts and crazy happenings!)

...ok, ice, glass...Jack...

I'm not sure Jack Daniels is known as a cure for a cold I suppose if you drink enough though, you forget you have the cold!

Don't get me started on the X factor load of crap, I hate all these competition, reality shows, they are all shite! OMG I am agreeing with you again! Don't tell Jols I said that, she loves the X Factor

Hope you feel well soon x

...ah, I've just sent you a friend request! I feel all inside...

I have decided to accept you as a friend and not reject you.

And what is wrong with the Pentax may I ask, if you are all going to slag off one another's equipment then I want to join in

I am sorry Snaps, but everyone knows Pentax is the best xxxxx

Then it is Olympus, then Sony, then Canon, and then Nikon xxxx

ok the x factor rocks.

and I shoot in jpeg cause I never make a mistake.

I like the X factor, but not Pop Idol
I like Pentax (binoculars but not Cameras - per se)
I like Nikon although I drive a Canon
I prefer RAW although I also use JPEg (when appropriate - rarely)
I like to hear discussions and debates about all sorts of matter - but I like to make my own mind up!

This is a very interesting post. Everyone has touched on the final answer in one way or another. RAW's total information, JPEG's size and optimization by the camera's manufacturer, powerful editing software and today's incredible digital cameras are all responsible for amazing images. If you were, for example, to approach a total stranger and hand them a Nikon D3, a top of the line pc constructed with graphics in mind, CS4 software and ask them to shoot in RAW you might get good snapshots from the average person.

A photographer's knowledge of photographic basics, his/her familiarity with the camera they use, knowledge of the graphic processing software on that top notch computer are what make a superior image. A photographer's knowledge added to superior hardware & software an broaden the options, therefore the capabilities of that photographer.

It's sort of like arguing what vehicle we should all drive. I wouldn't put a frail grandmother behind the controls of a Hummer nor would I ask a Formula 1 driver to win a race with a Volkswagon.

Let's strive to learn as much as we can about our personal cameras, computers & software and thus increase the odds that are final photos are the best they can be as a result of the total creative process.